The Damn Family Is Back Again

256. The Hwangryong Martial Arts Tournament (4)

▶The next event is archery!◀

▶Please move to the designated waiting room to check your equipment and prepare for the match.◀

The second day of the martial arts tournament had arrived.

From here on, the events would not resemble those of a sports competition.

These were the true events worthy of being called a “martial arts tournament.” In other words, events that were directly connected to the participants’ fights.

While the first day had some similarities to a sports competition, the main episodes of this game were undoubtedly the one-on-one battles. In this era, that was the biggest spectacle, after all.

Because of this, the weight of the scores on the second day was significantly greater.

The gap from the first day could easily be overturned.

In other words, what begins now is the true start of the tournament.

‘As for my stats… I think they should be sufficient.’

Lv. 70

▶Strength 6.53

▶Agility 7.81

▶Stamina 8.09

▶Health 6.39

▶Immunity 1.65

▶??? 70%

Even the stats I had pushed to their limits in the game were not at this level.

The body I had consistently managed through hard work and sweat was certainly not something to be underestimated, even in data form.

Moreover, knowing what events would unfold allowed me to practice in advance.

Thanks to that, I had managed to practice with a bow, something I had never held in reality, to some extent.

Of course, that didn’t mean I could be 100% at ease.

While this segment was following a route I was well familiar with, the developments were slightly twisted.

For that reason, unlike my previous choice to avoid the waiting room, I had to go down to the waiting room now to fill in the gaps in my information, however little it might be.

As a result of going down to the waiting room, I was able to gather some information.

“Just a moment ago, someone dropped out of the martial arts tournament. Because of that, the number of participants has decreased, and the placements have been rearranged.”

Due to one person’s withdrawal, my new position was F15.

That spot was lower in height but was more susceptible to the effects of the wind.

—

Therefore, according to the optimal conditions discovered within the game, I needed to increase the stiffness of the bow and also switch to larger arrows.

‘It would have been a disaster if I hadn’t come down.’

I could check in with Baron Ptoah once more. That was already prevented in advance.

“There’s an additional archery event. Previously, it was all about competing through a scoring system, but now it’s said to be conducted in a competitive format with a created field.”

Moreover, the archery competition is divided into two categories.

One is the familiar tournament format based on the scoring system. The other involves moving each other’s targets with mana, calmly hitting the opponent’s target to steal points.

This competition, which required multitasking, made it crucial to understand the opponent’s style.

With one less participant, my opponent must have changed suddenly as well. I could urgently come down, read the announcements, and grasp their style.

“The items I’ll be using are being closely monitored by Baron Ptoah. There’s still some time left.”

Should I also look for a hidden item or two?

As far as I know, this martial arts tournament.

There were cases where well-hidden items provided assistance.

If I moved to the storage, I could obtain a grip that corrects accuracy, and if I headed to the far end of the practice arena to loosen up, I might meet a peddler who could provide useful thread to enhance my existing bow.

Additionally, items suited to specific sponsors were placed everywhere.

This allowed for the strategic use of items within the martial arts tournament to score points.

Well… it’s cliché, but this is the charm of a classic RPG.

In a pixel game, touching each object to obtain items is the quintessential approach.

I immediately set my steps in motion.

‘Baron Ptoah… Baron Ptoah… If it’s that gentleman…’

The items I could obtain by choosing Baron Ptoah as a sponsor.

As I rummaged through the game information in my memory, I moved down the corridor of the opposite building.

As I descended to the waiting room, strange sounds began to echo.

– Puh-ack! Thud!

“…What is that sound?”

I swallowed hard.

It was a sound I was quite familiar with.

That’s why my steps quickened involuntarily.

Along with the rapidly growing feeling of filth, my mouth felt parched.

Yes. That sound is the sound of someone being kicked.

“Ugh…!”

—

As the distance closed in, the sounds of impact became clearer, and I could distinguish human voices.

Everything was conveyed through my ears.

The sight of being trampled and kicked by many, curled up.

Before I knew it, I was running.

The scene that unfolded as I turned the corner was.

“See, why are you stirring things up and getting blood on your hands, huh?”

“You’ve been a nuisance since last year.”

“Just say one word, and it’ll be easier, right?”

“Ugh…! I can’t say that…!”

It was undoubtedly a case of group bullying.

…Damn it.

Bile rose up from within me.

But I was in a situation where I couldn’t move recklessly.

‘…I had forgotten about this.’

-Ding!

▶ A meeting with a specific character has been successfully arranged. ◀

▶ In exchange, you can proceed with an additional episode. ◀

▶ Will you accept? ◀

It’s true that various helpful items and information can be found in the waiting room. But this game is always fraught with traps.

To obtain items, there must be a corresponding risk.

If you take the wrong item, a trap trigger will activate, putting you in a difficult situation.

You might find yourself in a position where, acting thoughtlessly, you have to meet conditions and perform a sub-episode as a penalty.

Moreover, there are quite a few elements that can trigger traps.

One of them is this. This trap forces you to meet a character who triggers an episode at any time and choose an option.

Logically thinking, I should leave.

This episode would belong to the most bothersome category for me.

But…

You want me to just look at that and walk away?

Me, who understands that feeling better than anyone?

“Ugh, what a persistent little shit. Why are you so tenacious?”

“Just either give up or get tired of it! Huh?”

“I don’t want to, I said I don’t…! What’s wrong with that person winning!”

…

How could I possibly do something like that?

It’s impossible. I can’t just turn a blind eye to it, not when it’s me.

I approached silently and placed a hand on one guy’s shoulder.

– Thud.

“What’s this? Some clueless idiot—”

– Gag!

“Cough!”

As I landed a precise blow to one’s solar plexus, their eyes immediately turned toward me.

“Sorry for being so clueless. Yeah.”

“Ka, Karsein Bagrand…”

“What are you doing here…!”

– Crack.

They looked like they’d seen something they shouldn’t have.

As if I shouldn’t even be here.

Well, let’s see how this goes.

“Why? Is it not okay for me to be here?”

“…”

“…”

That seemed to be the right answer; they all shut their mouths tight.

Looks like they’ve got something to hide.

“Enough. You guys need to take a beating.”

I’m feeling pretty damn dirty right now.

– Ding!

▶ Episode accepted. ◀

▶ The influence of this episode is very significant. The main episode will change! ◀

▶ Proceeding to Episode II. Unexpected Glances. ◀

*

“Ugh…!”

Before I knew it, the cleanup was done.

From the first guy to the second, the third, and finally the last one.

It didn’t take long to deal with those charging at me with such pitiful skill.

The last one, grinding his teeth, made a frustrated face at my gesture that seemed to ask if he wanted to try again, and then he quickly backed off.

“Just a bunch of nothing.”

As I casually brushed my hands off and clicked my tongue, he got up.

“Um… thank you. I don’t know how to express my gratitude…”

“It’s fine.”

▶ Episode II. You have cleared an unexpected gaze. ◀

▶ You have successfully rescued a character who was being bullied. ◀

▶ No penalties will be imposed. ◀

I came here in the first place because of this status window.

I dealt with the opponent just enough.

I cleared the episode, so no penalty window popped up.

I should head back to my spot and start preparing for the match.

Just as I was about to turn my feet.

“Wait a minute, hyung!”

He grabbed me.

“…Calling me hyung out of the blue. What do you think you’re doing—”

“Hyung. You’re not going to hold back this time, right?”

“What?”

“You didn’t show your full strength at the last martial arts tournament on purpose!”

I blinked in surprise at the sudden question.

Karsein… said I didn’t show my full strength at last year’s tournament?

This doesn’t seem like something I can just brush off.

“I don’t know why you think that.”

“Don’t lie! You could have beaten everyone if you had properly wielded your sword…!”

“Well, maybe that’s just your misunderstanding.”

“Hyung!”

He raised his voice.

“I know how to handle a sword too. That’s why I know! You deliberately lost to your opponent that day!”

“…”

As expected. Annoying.

– Ding!

▶ You can accept the linked episode. ◀

▶ Episode III. The clear conditions for the one who proves their worth have been changed. ◀

[ Clear Condition: Top 10% ]

▶ Refusing will result in a slight decrease in reputation points within the 1st Knight Order. ◀

▶ Will you accept the episode? ◀

This guy’s name is Willard Stephan.

He is one of the few supporters of Carseine.

As you can tell from his last name, he is of the bloodline of the 1st Knight Order of the Duke of Bagrand, Sir Carlton.

In other words, this is an episode linked to Bagrand.

‘There’s only one solution. I have to achieve the clear conditions and show that supporting Carseine, whom I’ve defended since the past, isn’t wrong.’

To support Carseine in noble society is to set oneself up for a perfect burial. That’s how troublesome accepting this episode was.

Refusing is a hundred percent the right choice.

I don’t just not know the ins and outs of this incident; I know absolutely nothing.

I have no idea if Carseine really had the skills, if he had the kind of skills to deliberately lose in the martial arts tournament, or who his opponent was. I know nothing.

However… strangely, I found this situation somewhat understandable.

…Because there had been times like this before.

That’s why it makes sense.

‘Yeah. There was a guy like this back then too.’

That’s how school was.

Seniors graduated before us.

As the years passed, we grew older and moved up a grade. And just like we did, new students would come in. The so-called juniors.

In a way, it would have been better for me if time had flown by.

It meant that the upperclassmen who had been tormenting me were gradually disappearing. The ones I had to deal with were vanishing all at once.

Moreover, juniors couldn’t really bother seniors who were a grade above them.

But since the reality didn’t change, I had given up on such early expectations.

—

New juniors coming in? Departing seniors?

No matter how many people change, doesn’t it all seem meaningless?

The rumors about the famous figure named Kim Min-hyuk are predictable.

No matter what means are used, my story will reach the juniors.

The existing enemies have vanished, and new ones have appeared. Unless the time comes for me to graduate from that school, I have no allies.

…That’s what I thought.

Until I met one guy.

– Don’t be ridiculous. If you look at his skills, he’s practically the captain of the kendo club; why are you making such excuses?!

There were indeed some freshmen who chose the kendo club.

However, among those juniors, there was only one who would say such things.

He had already noticed my exceptional skills and boldly protested to the third-year seniors.

And not long after, he began to be bullied. Just like I had been.

‘…Now that I think about it, it was during the sports festival back then.’

I had personally saved that kid who was being bullied.

– Hyung. If you fight properly, you win every time. I know you didn’t show your true abilities!

– You just let me win on purpose because you thought it would be a hassle, right?

Last year, I had also deliberately lost to my opponent, thinking it might create unnecessary trouble if I stayed in the main lineup.

What a strange coincidence.

Not only did it overlap with the sports festival, but how is it that I see someone so similar?

“Forget that memory. I’ll make it as if it never happened.”

“Excuse me?”

To the kid who asked back, looking bewildered, I replied with a smirk.

“This upcoming martial arts tournament. I’m going to win.”

Just like I did at the sports festival.

– Ding!

▶ Episode III. The one who proves their worth has been accepted. ◀

▶ The intimacy level with a specific individual has increased. ◀

[ Willard Stephan ]

[ Intimacy Level: 38% ]

*

I returned to my waiting room, leaving Willard behind.

Finally, the time has come.

Since Count Ptoah is my sponsor, it’s not strange for him to be here.

But the problem is, I’m not alone.

“Your Highness, it seems the young master has just arrived.”

“…”

[ Arina Vagrand ]

[ Affinity: 35% ]

– Ding!

▶ A family member has randomly come to visit. ◀

▶ Arina has been chosen as the randomly arrived family member. Complete the conversation to the end. ◀

On the second day of the martial arts tournament, an event that is forced to happen.

And of all the people, the one I least wanted to see has shown up.

.

.

.

“Well then. I will wait in the opposite room until your conversation is finished.”

“Thank you, Count.”

Count Ptoah left, encouraging us to talk comfortably.

Only Arina remained in my waiting room.

‘Is there no choice option?’

During Chapter 3, when the martial arts tournament was taking place, the tournament results and the Another Plan were the main focus, so there were times when such skip scenes occurred.

In the game, there weren’t many dialogue lines, and time would skip right away, but why is that not happening here?

Just in case, let’s quickly get to the point and wrap this up.

I throw the first question to Arina, who is walking toward me after noticing my presence.

“What do you want?”

Arina let out a light breath and then gave instructions to the attendants.

Before long, the attendants brought in all sorts of items, and my waiting room table was filled to the brim with what they had brought.

“If there’s something you want, feel free to choose as much as you like. This is a gift I’m giving you.”

“Huh?”

—

“I only realized after the investigation that it wasn’t your fault. Yes. That was clearly my misjudgment. So, you’re saying you want to make amends. Karsein.”

Ha. Amends, huh.

A way to respond with appropriate compensation because you made a mistake. How familiar. It’s no different from that woman.

In a way, it was a relief.

“Also, as my mother said, I intend to return all your rights. From now on—”

“I don’t need it.”

Cold blood began to circulate through my body.